base makeup – THE MOTHER MADE EDIT

Let’s be honest. Finding your dream CC cream is like choosing a pair of perfect jeans – it’s hard, it’s a lot of work, and it might take years to find THE ONE that ticks all the boxes. After many costly mistakes, you might even decide you’ve had enough, call off the search, and declare that CC creams suck.

But what are those boxes that no CC cream could ever tick?

Skincare ads trained us well to believe that there’s a “magic” product that will solve all the skin problems, and our bar is set higher than ever. This narrative is especially true in the base make-up realm. As a line between CC, BB, and foundation becoming increasingly blurred, so are the product claims. (If you want to read more about the differences between them, we’ve written a dedicated blog post). Regardless of the alphabet signage, base products often promise to do everything from hydrating, sun protecting to giving a flawless coverage that lasts all day. And this can be very misleading because it creates unrealistically high expectations that are bound to get shattered to pieces when a product doesn’t’ deliver. And how could it? There’s a good reason why we don’t call CC cream a foundation and vice versa – they’re not the same!

So, in the spirit of bringing clarity into the issue, we’ve gathered common misconceptions and mistake people make when buying or using CC creams that are probably stopping you from getting the most out of yours. Keep reading to find out more!

Mistake number 1. Relying solely on CC cream for hydration.

Sure, some CC creams can feel very moisturizing, but it’s not their core purpose to provide an adequate hydration level to last all day. If you notice your skin gets uncomfortably tight by noon with dry patches showing, most likely, that’s not a CC cream’s fault. Consider adding another layer of cream or lotion before applying the CC cream and note the difference in how your skin feels throughout the day.

Mistake number 2. Expecting CC cream to cover blemishes, erase pores, be lightweight, natural, AND last all day.

Phew, quite a list, huh? It sounds like nothing short of a miracle product, and such extreme multitasking is by far the biggest misconception about CC creams. So often we hear people complaining about “poor longevity” and that it won’t cover an annoying pimple or pores. But the truth is, it was never meant to do that, it’s just isn’t pigmented enough! CC isn’t foundation and can never give the same amount of coverage and longevity on its own. So, if you’ve always fancied more of a medium to full coverage look, well, honey, let us tell you right away – you’ll be disappointed. CC cream is many things, but it’s not a substitute for a full (even medium) coverage foundation.

Granted, some CC creams are buildable, but even then, there’s a limit to how much you can layer. If you’re after a flawless-looking skin, try using CC as a primer, and you’d be surprised how much more you’ll enjoy it.

The best blending tool for CC cream is… your hand!

Mistake 3. Not using the right tools to blend it.

There isn’t a universal consensus on what’s the right way to apply a CC cream, but it seems like the best CC blending tool is…. your hand — fingers, to be precise. Because CC creams are lightweight and don’t require application precision as much as the foundation does, using tools other than your fingers will rub you off a lot of product and coverage. Using fingers will also give you more flexibility – you’ll be able to concentrate on areas that need more evening out and spot-correct. Just make sure your hands are clean 😉

Mistake 4. Applying too much.

For some people, even the most lightweight CC cream can feel too heavy and suffocating. But don’t be in a rush to declare yet another one a failure. Most likely, the problem is not the formula but your perception. If you’re going make-up free most of the days, even the slightest tint can feel like a lot of color.

What to do you do? Less is more in your case.

Rather than blending the CC all over the face, mix a drop of the cream with your favorite daytime moisturizer or sunscreen to create a very subtle tint. It won’t last long, nor will cover much, but that might be exactly what your skin needs.

…some CC creams are buildable, but even then, there’s a limit to how much you can layer. If you’re after a flawless-looking skin, try using CC as a primer, and you’d be surprised how much more you’ll enjoy it.

Mistake 5. Using the same CC in summer and winter….

…and expecting the same result. Ok, so this is a more advanced level mistake since you need to have used CC creams for a while to make it, but we decided to throw it in the mix anyway.

Tweaking a skincare regimen based on the season might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people forget that the same rule applies to your base make-up. This rule is especially important to remember for combination-oily skin that’s prone to dehydration. CC creams that work wonderfully in summer will be too dry in winter and vice versa. If budget allows, it’s best to have dedicated summer and winter base make-up. But if not (or if you don’t want to collect too many products), try looking for a CC cream that isn’t overly dewy, but not matte either. That way, you can mattify it in summer with setting powders or primers and make it more hydrating by layering heavier moisturizer underneath in winter.

And there you have it! Like and share with your friends if you found the post useful!

Stay warm and talk to you soon,

MOTHER MADE team xxx

Navigating the world of base make-up can be confusing even if you’re a savvy skincare addict with years of experience under your beauty belt. And we completely understand. The beauty/skincare industry has an annoying habit of assigning the same names to different products or vice versa, which further confuses things. That’s what happened with essences and toners, serums and ampules. And now, the line becomes increasingly blurred between various base make-up options. To make things worse, the meaning behind alphabetic abbreviations can also differ depending on the country of origin. You’ll find that a CC cream from an American brand can be quite different from the Asian ones.

Today, we’re attempting to give a comprehensive breakdown of each category, in hopes that it will make your next shopping trip less stressful. Let’s dive in.

Tinted sunscreens

As the name suggests, it’s just that – sunscreen with a bit of color. You won’t find many (if any, really) options in the Asian beauty aisle, but some American brands have quite successful formulas that people love. Tinted sunscreens won’t cover any blemishes or discoloration, but will give you that natural, “my-skin-but-better” look. Seriously, you’ll barely feel it on your skin. Tinted sunscreen would be an ideal option for those who’re not big on make-up and want to wear as little on their face as possible. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that tinted sunscreens don’t have an array of shades to choose from. Since the coverage is ultra-sheer, there’s usually only one shade, so it won’t be an option for those with very fair or dark skin tones.

Foundation

The opposite of tinted sunscreen, the foundation is pure color. It works to even out your skin tone, camouflage blemishes, and give you an overall airbrushed skin effect. Meaning that even the lightest formula will still have a decent amount of coverage. Foundations can be formulated with SPF filters, but we wouldn’t rely solely on them for sun protection. Since it isn’t a dedicated sunblock, the quality of the filters can be questionable. Also, the SPF number rarely goes higher than 35, which is barely enough, and you’ll need to apply a face full of foundation to get this level of protection. Never a good look.

Foundations are an obvious choice when you have an important event to attend, which calls for flawless skin. Some lighter formulas will also work great for those who like to be more “covered up” on day to day basis. Just don’t forget your SPF!

BB cream

Dubbed as a “Blemish Balm” or “Beauty Balm,” this cream is essentially as a foundation with skincare. It’s meant to even out skin tone, cover blemishes (hence the name), and give the appearance of smooth skin. BB creams formulas also have various antioxidants, hydrating ingredients, and a decent amount of sun protection. Again, we wouldn’t rely solely on bb for sun protection, especially if you spend a lot of time outside. But since most of the BB creams (Asian at least) boast an impressive SPF 50, it might work for a day in the office.

BB creams are perfect for those who need a higher amount of daily coverage that’s also hydrating and nourishing for the skin.

The question, however, that logically follows is – if BB creams do everything foundation does, but better, why do foundation as a concept hasn’t yet become extinct? In short, because BB creams don’t offer nearly as generous shade line up as foundations do. Developing shades for darker skin tones is more complicated than merely adding pigment to lighter shades. Not every skincare company has the knowledge or resources to dedicate to this process, so they stick to tried and tested formulas. Also, because of added sunscreen filters (especially if they’re mineral), BB creams cannot compete with foundations in terms of a variety of finishes. For this reason, most make-up artists still prefer foundations over BB creams as the foundation allows for more creative freedom.

CC cream

Originally CC, or “Color Correcting,” cream was designed as a lighter version of a BB cream. Like BB creams, CC creams also contain various skin-loving ingredients but are targeted at those who want sheer, natural-looking coverage that adds a bit more color balance to the skin rather than covering it up. The primary functions of cc creams are to even out blotchiness, cover redness, and give skin overall brighter, woken-up look. It’s also supposed to be lightweight enough to be used as a color-correcting primer under a foundation if needed.

CC cream is ideal for those who want more coverage than a tinted sunscreen would offer, but find BB creams to be too heavy.

The problem, however, is that the difference between CC and BB isn’t always as straightforward. Some CC creams are dense and opaque with a foundation-like coverage. On the other hand, BB creams can disappear into the skin without leaving a trace. To add to the confusion, American CC creams tend to have more coverage (which brings them closer to the foundation realm), and BB creams are considered as their lighter counterparts.

The bottom line

For better or worse, a name on the packaging doesn’t always serve as a good indicator of what’s inside, but you can still use it as a general guide. We always recommend to get a sample and try the cream at home a few times before committing to a tube. Swatching in-store isn’t ideal as the lightning is often off, but it’s also an option. Just make sure to apply a cream on your jawline (not on the back of your hand) to get a feel of how a product works. If neither option is available, get in touch with the brand and ask for a consultation. Most brands will be more than happy to offer you guidance.

Tag: base makeup

Common CC cream mistakes and how to avoid them.

CC, BB, Foundation, Tinted Sunscreens – what’s the difference, and which one to choose?